2 of 11 shooting in the fourth quarter led to the dismay of the Mavericks
An emotional home crowd of green and white chanted and cheered their team on in a battle that no one deserved to lose.
Rasheed Sulaimon’s running bank shot as time expired gave the Strake Jesuit Crusaders a 60-58 hard fought double overtime victory over Morton Ranch Tuesday night at Strake Jesuit.
The victory keeps the Crusaders (22-3, 9-1) in line for a possible district title.
The game was a true blue print of a game in which who would execute their last possession.
With the top spot at stake, the No. 2 Crusaders led 8-5 with the help of Sulaimon’s early fast break layup before Morton Ranch’s Wing man Michael Harmon’s 3-pointer tied the game at 8 and followed it up with a close range basket to grab an 10-8 lead. The lead changed just as much as the cold winds did outside on this bitter cold evening. The Crusaders closed out the first quarter up 12-10.
Strake Jesuit didn’t have an answer for Harmon as he bombed away from the perimeter for most of the first half. Harmon stroked a 3-pointer to start the second quarter, yielding a 13-12 lead. He nearly match his 20 point game average in the first half with 17 points.
“Those guys shoot the ball extremely well. Coach Palmer does a good job with defensive schemes,” said Coach Jones. They have more than two or three guys you have to guard. They made plays when they needed to but so did we.”
Both teams went on a series of spurts with neither getting too far ahead of the other. Shortly thereafter, the Crusaders enjoyed their largest lead of the game but for a short period, 24-17.
Down but not out, Morton Ranch fought back trimming the lead to four, 26-22 when Harmon converted two free throws and a jumper with under 3:00 minutes to go before halftime.
“The most important thing is you got to make your free throws, that’s what important ” said Morton Ranch’s Coach Carey Palmer, they played a good game (speaking of Strake Jesuit) both teams played well. It was double overtime, triple overtime. That’s what it’s all about somebody got to win. Their best player got the ball in his hands (Rasheed Solaimon), took a shot and made good shot.”
Even while Strake continued to stay out in front, it was the Mavericks defense that forced turnovers to keep the game close. Michael Fisher’s steal, score and Jacin Banks bank shot sent the game to intermission knotted at 29.
Second half adjustments watched the defense pressure pick up. With more pressure on the ball both teams were left with no other choice than to work hard for good shots.
Morton Ranch held a one point lead going into the fourth quarter.
Amazingly the Mavericks (25-5, 8-2) were 2 of 11 from the field in the fourth quarter, that had a lot to do with the Crusaders furious man to man defense. Never the less Morton Ranch out score the Crusaders 5-4 in the final quarter.
Morton Ranch trailed late, 47-44 but a Strake Jesuit turnover was turned into a tie game as Bill Herbert stroked a beautiful trey from the left baseline to send the game to overtime.
In the first overtime the Crusaders trailed 54-52 after Harmon fired from three point land, hitting nothing but net. John Gillon sent the game to its second overtime when he sliced through the Mavericks defense for a finger roll with one tick on the clock.
Sulaimon grabbed possession of the ball after the tip off and he drove immediately to the basket drawing a foul in the process. He converted both free throws giving the Crusaders a 56-54 lead. A couple of opportunities got passed Morton Ranch when Chuck Anyasinti missed back to back baskets, one which was under the basket. Moments later Gillion picked up his fifth foul with 3:12 to go as Harmon knocked down two free throws to tie the game at 56.
“Well I thought it was two really good basketball teams that got a chance to play against each other,” said Strake Jesuit’s Coach Wayne Jones. Morton Ranch is as good a team that we’ve seen or will see.”
Later with game locked at 58 Herbert was fouled with 13.9 seconds to go but missed both free throws leaving the door open for the Crusaders final shot.
Harmon led Morton Ranch with 27 points and Michael Fisher added 10. Rasheed Sulaimon paced Strake Jesuit with 19 points while Gillion chipped in 10.